Lady Gan, the wife of Liu Bei, was from Pei County. When Liu Bei was the Governor of Yu Province, he resided in Xiaopei and took her as his concubine. Liu Bei lost his legitimate wives multiple times, and Lady Gan took charge of managing the harem's affairs. Later, she followed Liu Bei to Jingzhou and gave birth to Liu Shan, who would later become Emperor Liu Shan. When Cao Cao's army attacked Liu Bei during the Battle of Changban, the situation was critical. Liu Bei had to leave Lady Gan and Liu Shan behind, but they managed to escape safely, thanks to Zhao Yun's protection. Lady Gan passed away and was buried in Nanchun. In the second year of the Zhangwu era, Liu Bei posthumously conferred upon her the title of Lady Si and planned to relocate her remains to Shu. However, before they could reach Shu, Liu Bei passed away.
Prime Minister Zhuge Liang submitted a memorial saying, "Lady Huang Si is upright in character, kind and virtuous, living a cautious and careful life. When the late emperor was alive, Lady Gan was his match, giving birth to the late emperor, which is a significant contribution! When the late emperor was alive, he placed great importance on love and righteousness, showing kindness to the palace, and noting that Empress Huang Si's coffin is far away in Nanguo, he specially sent people to welcome it. Just as the late emperor passed away, now Empress Huang Si's coffin has arrived, the late emperor's coffin is also on the way, the tomb is almost ready, and the burial day is approaching. Minister Lai Gong and I, along with others, have discussed, according to the "Book of Rites," which states: 'Establish love beginning with one’s family to teach the people filial piety; establish respect starting with elders to teach the people obedience.' It is only natural to remember one's family! According to the etiquette of the Spring and Autumn Period, a mother is honored through her son. In the past, the founding emperor posthumously honored Lady Taishang Zhaoling with the title of Empress Zhaoling, Emperor Xiaohui relocated his mother Liang Guiren and honored her as Empress Gonghuai, and Emperor Xiaomin relocated his mother Wang Furen and honored her as Empress Linghuai. Now Empress Huang Si should also have a title to comfort her memory in the afterlife. Lai Gong and I, along with others, have verified according to the "Regulations for Posthumous Titles," she should be posthumously honored as Empress Zhaolie. The "Book of Songs" states: 'While alive, we may dwell apart, but in death, we are to be buried together.' Therefore, Empress Zhaolie should be laid to rest alongside the late emperor. I request the Grand Marshal to inform the ancestral temple, announce this to the public, with further details on the specific rituals to follow." The emperor ordered: Approved.
Liu Bei's wife, Empress Mu, was from Chenliu County. Her brother, Wu Yi, became orphaned at a young age. His father had a good relationship with Liu Yan, so their entire family accompanied Liu Yan to Shu. Liu Yan was ambitious and learned from a fortune teller that Empress Mu would one day be wealthy and noble. At that time, Liu Yan's son Liu Mao was with him, so he arranged for Liu Mao to marry Empress Mu. After Liu Mao's death, Empress Mu became a widow.
After Liu Bei established himself in Yizhou, Lady Sun returned to the Kingdom of Wu, and his followers urged him to take Empress Mu as his wife. Liu Bei hesitated, feeling it was somewhat inappropriate to marry Empress Mu, as she was of the same clan as Liu Mao. Fa Zheng said, "Compared to the relationship between Duke Wen of Jin and Zi Yu, how significant is this familial connection?" So Liu Bei took Empress Mu as his wife. In the twenty-fourth year of Jian'an, Empress Mu was declared Queen of Han Zhong. In May of that year, Liu Bei issued a decree saying, "I am blessed to have been favored by heaven, to hold the highest position and govern all nations. Now I appoint you as empress, with a special envoy sent by Prime Minister Zhuge Liang to bestow upon you the empress seal and ribbon. You must serve the ancestral temple diligently and be the mother of the people, Empress, you must be respectful and cautious!" In the first year of Jianxing, in May, Liu Shan ascended to the throne, bestowing the title of Empress Dowager upon Empress Mu, who resided in Changle Palace. Wu Yi was appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry and was granted the title of Marquis of the County. In the eighth year of Yanxi, Empress Mu passed away peacefully and was laid to rest alongside Liu Bei in Huiling.
Liu Shan's wife, Empress Jing'ai, was the eldest daughter of Zhang Fei. In the first year of the Zhangwu era, she married the Crown Prince Liu Shan as the Crown Princess. In the first year of the Jianxing era, she was made Empress. She passed away in the fifteenth year of the Jianxing era and was buried in Nanling.
Liu Shan's other wife, Empress Zhang, is the younger sister of Empress Jing'ai. In the fifteenth year of Jianxing, she entered the palace as a noble lady. In the first month of the first year of Yanxi, Liu Shan issued a decree saying, "I have inherited a great legacy and now rule over the world, and must perform sacrifices at the ancestral temples and altars. I now appoint you as empress, and specially assign the General of the Left Army, Xiang Lang, to grant you the empress seal and ribbon. You must diligently manage the affairs of the harem and seriously carry out sacrificial rites. Empress, you must be respectful and careful!" In the first year of Xianxi, Empress Zhang followed Liu Shan to move to Luoyang.
Liu Yong, styled Gongshou, is the son of the late emperor Liu Bei and the younger brother of the late emperor Liu Shan. In the first year of Zhangwu, in June, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang appointed him as the King of Lu, and the edict read, "Young Yong, you are granted land. I have inherited the mandate of heaven, continued the great rule, followed the ancient rites and systems, established your country, enfeoffed you in the eastern land, possessing the land of Guimeng, assisting the court for generations. Listen carefully to my edict! I hope the state of Lu can improve its current situation, move towards the right path, and preserve its traditions. The people should be virtuous, maintaining good morals for generations. You must carefully uphold the rituals and pacify your people; this is your duty, so remember it!" In the eighth year of Jianxing, Liu Yong was further enfeoffed as the King of Ganling. Initially, Liu Yong disliked the eunuch Huang Hao, but after Huang Hao gained favor, he made false accusations against Liu Yong, which resulted in him being barred from court for over a decade. In the first year of Xianxi, Liu Yong moved to Luoyang, where he was appointed as the Attendant Charioteer and granted the title of marquis.
Liu Li, courtesy name Fengxiao, was also the younger brother of the later emperor Liu Shan, but he did not share the same mother as Liu Yong. In the first year of the Zhangwu era in June, the Prime Minister Zhuge Liang appointed him as the Prince of Liang, and the edict read: "Young Liu Li, I inherit the rightful legacy of the Han Dynasty, follow the mandate of Heaven, and follow the laws and customs, appointing you in the east as a vassal of the Han Dynasty. I hope that the land of Liang will be a vital region, where the people can be close to enlightenment and easily guided to observe etiquette. You must do your utmost, love and protect the people, ensure your state's prosperity, and take this seriously!" In the eighth year of the Jianxing era, Liu Li was renamed as the Prince of Anping. In the seventh year of the Yanxi era, he passed away and was posthumously titled the Mourning Prince. His son, Liu Yin, the Mourning Prince, succeeded to the throne and passed away in the nineteenth year. The Mourning Prince's son, Liu Cheng, succeeded to the throne and passed away in the twentieth year. In the fourth year of the Jingyao era, the court decreed: "The Prince of Anping was appointed by the late emperor's decree. Three generations have all died young, with no one to succeed the throne. We are deeply saddened. Let the Marquis of Wuyi, Liu Ji, succeed to the throne." This Liu Ji was the son of Liu Li. In the first year of the Xianxi era, Liu Ji also moved to Luoyang, was appointed as the Chancellor of the Imperial Carriage, and titled as the Marquis of Xiang.
Now, as for the Crown Prince of the later emperor Liu Shan, his name was Liu Xuan, courtesy name Wenheng. His mother was Lady Wang, who had originally served as a maid of honor to Empress Zhang. In the first month of the Yanxi era, Liu Shan issued an edict to appoint Liu Xuan as the Crown Prince, stating in the edict: "Throughout history, the succession of emperors and the appointment of Crown Princes to inherit the imperial throne have been the established norms of governance. Now, I appoint Xuan as the Crown Prince to uphold the dignity of our ancestors. I hereby command the Prime Minister, General Lang, to present him with the seal and the staff. I hope that you will strive to improve your personal cultivation, earnestly uphold righteousness, seek advice on etiquette from the elderly ministers, respect your teachers and elders, humbly accept admonition, and continuously refine your character. Shouldn't you strive to motivate yourself?" At that time, Liu Xuan was only fifteen years old.
During the winter of the sixth year of Jingyao, the Shu Han state fell. In the first month of the first year of Xianxi, Zhong Hui once again staged a rebellion in Chengdu, and Liu Xun was tragically killed by the rebel forces. The text remarks: The Book of Changes states, once there is a husband and wife, there can be a father and son; this is the foundation of human relationships, and nothing is more important than the flourishing of kindness and order. Thus, we document these events to investigate the foundational systems of a nation.
